Grazing On The ‘Hood

Monday, January 27, 2020

Yesterday I led the horses over my property en route to a neighbor’s pasture a quarter-mile away. As we stepped onto the street, my across-the-road neighbor, paused the car while leaving his driveway and talked with me. His property has a pasture, and he has invited my horses to graze there!

Lovely! His kindness reduces my worries. Days I must leave for work would have ample time to get the horses over to pasture. If the weather gets awful and animals shouldn’t be without shelter, I’d dash across the street and bring them home. And best, in bad weather we’d not be walking south into heavy-driving winds, rain, and/or snow.

These past months have taught my horses and me to stroll together. We walk four abreast in the middle of the street, and will shift to roadside at an approaching vehicle. In this relatively quiet neighborhood drivers usually make space and wave to us. Our walks to and from the more-distant pasture are enjoyable and the owner likes hosting my horses. So, they’ll take turns in both pastures!

Early, after moving to Central Oregon and becoming a beginning rider, I found that horses make it easy to meet other riders and make friends. It never occurred to me that later on, when I ride only a little, the horses would facilitate meeting others, making friends. Folks tell me about seeing others stopping where the horses graze to take pictures and/or feed carrots. When I’m outside passerbys say hello, and local drivers pause to say they enjoy seeing the horses and offer help if needed.

Caring for equines requires constant work, and the animals are very worthwhile. They’re kind, tolerant, forgiving, and fun. Daily, I thank my horses (and Pimmy, our extra-attention getter), for facilitating the great pleasure of meeting and often getting to know nice folks.

Dear Friends: Imagine–just across the street! Oh, kindness, and often easier. Diana